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facade
[ fuh-sahd, fa- ]
noun
- Architecture.
- the front of a building, especially an imposing or decorative one.
- any side of a building facing a public way or space and finished accordingly.
- a superficial appearance or illusion of something:
They managed somehow to maintain a facade of wealth.
façade
/ fæ-; fəˈsɑːd /
noun
- the face of a building, esp the main front
- a front or outer appearance, esp a deceptive one
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of facade1
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Example Sentences
The facade of the building is covered with rows of glowing plastic carolers, a snowman, drummer boys and candy canes, and decked with garlands of evergreens.
A 140-year-old building in Brussels has been refurbished with insulation on the facades and the roof and improved ventilation.
Leonsis draped a facade of Verizon Center with Wall’s image.
Her silvery voice scaled the facade of the building as the setting sun seemed to stall awhile to listen.
Since El-Waylly came forward, the everything-is-perfect facade of the famous test kitchen has crumbled.
In keeping with the facade, Williams showed himself to be dedicated preacher who “knows his scripture.”
In an ancient stone carving, warriors brandishing shields and swords swarm over the columned facade of a grand temple.
We, like his various conquests, were seduced by his facade of invincibility and haunted past.
Another clock, outside on the 42nd St. facade, is the world's largest example of Tiffany glass.
He also has a deep, creamy voice and calm demeanor that completes his fallen-hero facade.
In vain he sought support against one of the porphyry columns at the facade of the mosque.
So one morning she made her way towards the grotesque facade of the humble, silent home where she had spent her childhood.
It has a large brick church with a decidedly Flemish facade, and a detached pagoda-like belfry.
Silhouettes of tall poplars loomed against the blackness; occasionally a lamp revealed the milky blue facade of a house.
One turns back to the still old house, and sees a grey and lichenous facade with a very finely arched entrance.
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More About Facade
What does facade mean?
A facade is the front of a building or a side that faces a public area.
Facade is used literally to describe a decorative, showy, or onrate piece of architecture that frames the front of a building, as in The architect who designed this building used a showy facade on it to help it stand out from nearby buildings.
A facade is also a superficial appearance or an illusion, which can be literal or figurative. If a movie star wears a dark hoodie and sunglasses so they won’t be recognized by the press, they are wearing a literal facade. If that movie star acts completely different from who they actually are or puts on an alternate personality in order to trick or convince people of something, that is a figurative facade.
Example: He continually lied to keep up his facade until the whole thing stumbled out of control.
Where does facade come from?
The first records of the term facade come from the mid-1600s. It ultimately comes from the Italian faccia, meaning “face,” and –ata, an ending that denotes a process or action. The wall of a building is called its face, and in theater, a character or portrayal is often called a face.
Facade can also be spelled façade. That squiggly shape under the c is called a cedilla and is used in French and Portuguese to indicate that the c should be pronounced like an s.
Did you know … ?
How is facade used in real life?
In casual conversation, facade is often used figuratively to describe something that is fake or an illusion.
authenticity is so beautiful. please be genuine. drop the facade. the real you is enough.
— queen quen (@quenblackwell) July 9, 2018
Brick Facade for a bookstore in Korea pic.twitter.com/H9nlmfRSol
— Bizarre Buildings (@BizarreBuiIding) November 29, 2021
“behind the facade of your life, there is something beautiful and eternal happening”
— Dove Cameron (@DoveCameron) January 25, 2018
Try using facade!
Which of the following is NOT a synonym for facade?
A. exterior
B. interior
C. front
D. veneer
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